Billy Magnussen

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Who can forget Billy Magnussen’s musical role as Rapunzel’s prince, in the fairy tale movie Into The Woods. Now, the American actor is busy cementing his place on the small and big screen after winning several accolades in Broadway.

Billy Magnussen early life

Billy Magnussen was born as William Gregory Magnussen on April 20, 1985, Woodhaven, Queens, New York to an aerobics instructor, Daina and a professional bodybuilder and kickboxer, Greg Magnussen. He has two younger brothers.

He was raised in Queens around Woodhaven Blvd until his family moved to Cumming, Georgia when he was 10. He graduated from South Forsyth High School in 2003 and went to North Carolina School of Arts. It has been reported that he had followed his father’s footsteps until his high school, but an injury sidelined him from wrestling. Since then, he developed his interest in acting.

Billy Magnussen’s movies and TV shows

Magnussen made his acting debut in 2007 with an appearance Broadway play, The Ritz. He continued with minor roles in movies like Blood Night: The Legend of Mary Hatchet and Happy Tears until obtained his first starring role as Claude in the movie Twelve (2010).

In 2011, he appeared in two movies, including The Lost Valentine and Damsels in Distress. He starred in an independent feature film Surviving Family in 2012.

After several years, he returned to the stage and played a role as Spike alongside Sigourney Weaver and David Hyde Pierce in the play Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, which was premiered at the McCarter Theater and then to Lincoln Theater and John Golden Theater in 2012. He was nominated for Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his role.

He 2014, he starred alongside Anna Gunn in an off-Broadway production of critically acclaimed play Sex With Strangers. That year was considered as the turning point in his career as it was when he got his greatest exposure as Rapunzel’s Prince in fairy tale movie Into the Woods. MacKenzie Mauzy played Rapunzel and he played her prince in the film.

Most recently, he has appeared in films like Bridge of Spies, The Big Short, Birth of a Dragon, Ingrid Goes West and others. He will be seen as Ryan in Game Night in 2018 alongside Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams.

Billy has guest-starred in numerous TV shows like American Crime Story, As the World Turns, Boardwalk Empire, Law & Order Criminal Intent, NCIS: Los Angeles, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and many more.

Besides acting, he is also passionate about music. He once contributed as a bass player and songwriter for NYC-based rock band The Dash. Now, he plays guitar in another band named Reserved for Rondee.

Is Billy Magnussen gay?

Over the years, speculations have arisen over his sexual orientation. He has starred in a few gay-themed plays, including The Ritz and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Perhaps, his reel-life roles have led to rumors of him being gay. But he has never spoken anything about it.

He flaunted his biceps and six-pack abs while performing his role as Spike in the play. Likewise, he was seen shirtless in the latest movie Ingrid Goes West.

Neither he has shared his love life to fans nor has he ever been spotted with any woman in public. Apart from his career, what his fans are curious about him is his girlfriend. After seeing Billy and MacKenzie Mauzy's chemistry in Into the Woods, fans have gone as far as thinking that they might be dating in real life. But they haven't reacted to fans' assumptions.